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CFS-175

A child in your life series

Purdue University

Cooperative Extension Service

West Lafayette, IN 47907

Children who do these things are learning how the world works. They are playing, too. Playing this way can make work for parents. But children need to explore their world and try new things. You can help your child play. Your child can play in a way that makes both of you happy.

*If your child likes to dump things, give him a big bowl or box. Put wooden spoons, empty spools, or small toys inside. Now your child can play safely without making a mess.

* If your child tries to play in the toilet bowl, give her a bowl or a bucket. Put clean water in it. Some soap suds would be nice for older children. (Little kids might drink it!) Add some small containers for pouring. This is lots of fun outside in the summer! In the winter your child could play with water in the kitchen sink or the bathtub.

Can you think of other ways to help your child play without making work for you?

How can I play with my child?

Play is a special time for you to do things with your child. It is a time when you can learn about your child and have fun, too. And your child can learn about you, too.

Children learn to play without help. But you can help your child grow better through play. You can help him learn new things.

Try to play with your child. Do not just watch. Here are some ideas for your child's playtime:

* Be happy about what your child can do. Show her how happy you are. Clap your hands. Say, "I'm proud of you!" and "Hurray!"

* Watch your child. See what he likes to do. Give the child lots of chances to do what is fun for him.

* Put your child in different rooms in the house. Put her in different places in the rooms.

* Think about where you put your child. He should be able to see what other people are doing.

Here are some ways you can play with your child.

Who Is That in the Mirror? (all ages)

1. Put your child on your lap.

2. Hold a mirror in front of the child.

3. Talk to him about the child in the mirror. Say, "Look, there's Jason." or, "I see you!"

4. To change the game for walkers and runners: Point to different parts of the body in the mirror. Name the body parts.

Echo (babies and crawlers)

1. Listen to your child. Listen for any sound, like a coo or a gurgle. 2. After she makes the sound, stroke her stomach, move your head close to her and smile, then repeat the sound she made.

3. Your child may coo again. If she does, keep going.

Children like games that help them to find things.

Peek-a-Boo (babies and crawlers)

1. Cover your face with your hands in front of your baby.

2. Quickly take your hands away and say "Peek-a-Boo."

3. Change the game by hiding your baby's face.

4. Another way to change this game is by hiding your whole body.

5. Then have the child find you. (Hide in an easy place at first.)

6. This game can become a hide and-seek game as the crawler gets older.

Find the Toy (crawlers and walkers)

1. Place a toy halfway under a diaper or towel.

2. Let the baby find the toy.

3. Do the game over and over.

4. Change the game by hiding the toy all the way.

5. Change the game by putting the toy in a box.

Children like to be sung to. Most children love music even if they don't know the words.

Keep songs simple-2 to 3 lines long.

Up and Down


Up and down, up and down,
Janey is waving up and down.

Pop Goes the Weasel


All around the carpenter's bench
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought `twas all in fun,
Then pop! goes the weasel.
Here's a Ball


Here's a ball (Make a fist).
And here's a ball ()Make a circle with both hands).
A great big ball I see (Make a larger circle with
both arms over your head).
Shall we count them, are you ready?
One, two, three!

Clap. Clap, Clap


You take your little hands and go
Clap, clap, clap.
You take your little hands and go
Clap, clap, clap.
You take your little hands and go
Clap, clap, clap.
Clap, clap, clap your hands

(You may also say "feet, stamp" or
eyes, blink').

Children like to move around. Here are a few active games you can try.

Stretching (babies and crawlers)

1. Put your baby where it is flat and padded. (Try a changing or feeding table or floor rug). Place your baby on his back.

2. Hold his hands in yours. Stretch his arms out gently to the sides.

3. Next, bring the arms back in. Wrap them in a hug around the child's body. Give him a little shake.

4. Smile and talk to the baby. Say "Out again, in again." Or sing a song while you move the baby's arms. Repeat the game over and over.

Pick up (crawlers and almost-crawlers and walkers)

1. Drop a toy in front of the child.

2. Point to the toy. Say, "Amanda, pick up the ball. Go get it!"

3. Clap for the child as she bends and picks it up.

Walking game (new walkers)

Children are ready for this game when they can stand holding onto a couch.

1. Stand your child up next to a couch. Get a toy your child likes. Show your child the toy. Move it away slowly along the couch.

2. Say to the child, "John, get the toy!"

3. If the baby walks to get the toy, praise him. Say, "Good walking."

Going on a bear hunt (walkers and runners)

1. Pretend you are going on a bear hunt.

2. Set up a room so your child can go under. around, and over things. Use blankets, chairs, and pillows.

3. Act out the words to the song with your child.

Here are the words to the song. Clap to the beat of the words.

Let's go on a bear hunt. (Walk by patting hands
on knees.)
I see a mountain. (This could be a pillow or chair.)
Can't go under it.
Can't go through it.
Have to climb over it. (Actions and then more
walking.)
I see a river. (This could be a blanket.)
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Have to swim through it.

I see a swamp. (This could be pillows.)
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Have to walk through it.

I see a tree. (This could be a chair.)
Let's climb up and look around.

I see a cave. (This could be under the chair.)
Let's go see what's in it. (Go down tree and
start walking. Become more Quiet as you get
closer.)

Oh, it's dark in here! There isn't any light!
I feel something! I smell something! I hear
something. It's a bear!!!
Let's run home! Walk through the swamp!
Swim through the river!
Climb over the mountain! We're home!
(Give your child a big hug.)

Safety is important!

Your child's "play environment" is the place where your child plays. A good play environment lets children know it is okay to play. It also will help you because a good play environment is safe. There are fun things for children to do there. You do not have to say "no" very often. You do not need to worry very much about your child getting into the wrong things. Playtime is better for your child and easier for you in a good play environment.

Is your child's play environment safe? Guard against shocks, falls,
bumps, poisoning, drowning, and choking.
		           					            Yes  Some  No

Are electrical outlets covered? 

Are loose electrical cords out of the way?

Are sharp edges of furniture padded or sanded?

Are the edges of rugs taped down?  

Is there a gate in front of the stairs?

Are cleaning supplies, medicines, and plants up high and out of reach?

Are there safe materials and paint used on the furniture and
playthings?

Are windows safe? 

Are screens tight'?  

Are open windows tight or braced so they will not fall down?

Is the bathroom closed off?

Are the child's toys safe?  
(See the section on safe
toys.)

Do all children play the same way?

Most children go through the same steps when they learn to play. For example, first they learn to move a toy from one hand to the other, then they learn how to let go. But each child has his or her own way to play, too. Different children:

like different things,

can do different things, and

play in their own way.

Things that are very easy for a child are not much fun. Very hard activities are not much fun, either. Play activities should match the child's abilities. The activity should be hard enough that the child has to work at it a little. It should be exciting. But it should not be too hard for the child to do.

What are good toys?

 Good toys for                    	 Are your child's
 young children are:  		         toys like this?

                           		 Yes Some  No

-pretty, bright, and colorful.       
-well-made, long-lasting, and safe. 
-not too hard and not too easy.    
-good for children of different ages. 
-useful in many ways.               

 Safe toys for                 		Are your child's
 young children:               		toy's like these


                             		Yes Some No
-are strong. The child should
be able to stand or sit on
 them.                       
-are painted with safe paint
 with no lead in it.       
-do not break.            
-can be washed easily. 
-are not electric.    
-should be checked often.
 Make sure they are still
safe.               
-are not always safe for all
 children. Keep toys for
 older children away from
 younger children.       
-are big. They should not
 come apart. There should be
 no little pieces. Children
 can stick little pieces in
 their ears, nose, and mouth.

How can playthings help the child grow?

Sensory Materials. Children like to see hear, touch, taste, and smell things. Good toys and good play help them do these things. Most infants like rattles, colorful mobiles, squeak toys, and furry stuffed animals. Those toys are fun to look at, touch, and listen to. Older children may like playing with sand, water, playdough, sound cans, or kitchen pan and spoon. Many children play with food. Food is fun to touch, look at, smell and taste. Playing with food can teach them new things, even when it makes a mess.

Which of your child's toys would fit here?

Active Play Equipment. Children need to build strong muscles. Active toys help children learn to use their muscles together and to balance. Push and pull toys, toys for climbing, slides, "kiddie cars," and rocking toys are for active play.

Which of your child's toys would fit here?

Manipulative Toys and Construction Materials. These toys help children develop hand and finger muscles. They help children learn to work their fingers together and to make new things. Playing with these toys will help children learn to read and write later.

Cups or boxes that fit inside each other, blocks, stacking toys, and pull-apart beads are good for muscles. Toddlers also may like easy puzzles with 2, 3, or 4 pieces.

Which of your child's toys would fit here?

Dolls, Stuffed Toys and Dramatic Play Materials. Some kinds of playthings help the child to understand the world around them. They help children learn to pretend. These materials can include dolls, cuddly "friends," puppets and dress-up clothes.

Which of your child's toys would fit here'?

Art Materials. Children feel good when they make something. There are many kinds of art materials that the infant or toddler can begin to use. You can begin with fingerpaints. Make sure the paint is safe if the child would try to eat it. Very large crayons will help the toddler explore art. Toddlers may also like to make pictures by gluing pieces of paper or cloth on another piece of paper.

Which of your child's toys would fit here?

Books, Records, and Tapes. These things help children learn to talk. They help with later reading and writing, too. Children enjoy picture books. The books should show things they see around them. Young children like song records, story records, and story books, too.

Which of your child's toys would fit here?

Now, look back at the list. Does your child have all the kinds of toys? If not, read on!

Did you know that your home is a gold mine for play materials?

Many toys can be made from things in your own home. Homemade toys can be better than store-bought toys in many ways.

* They cost less.

* They can be made quickly.

* They can be made just right for your child.

* They can be used for many different activi- ties.

* You can make new ones if they get lost or broken.

* They can be changed as your child grows.

Did you know that these things can be toys?

Sensory Toys

Put things inside an empty plastic medicine bottle. Make sure the things inside can be eaten. How about trying rice or cereal or macaroni?

Egg cartons can `be turned into rattles. Put beans, macaroni, or Cheerios in an egg carton. Make sure you tape the carton shut.

Put a paper wrapper from crackers inside a bag from onions or oranges. Now your child can play with paper without eating it.

Manipulative Toys and Construction Materials

Margarine bowls and lids can be used to put inside each other. They can be stacked, too.

Hair rollers can be used for stringing.

Shoe boxes can be blocks.

Active Play Equipment

An old mattress can be used for jumping and rolling. Make sure it is clean. No springs should stick out. (Make sure the area around it is safe, too.)

Shoe boxes can be a train. Add a short string to make a pull toy.

Dramatic Play Materials

Make a puppet out of an old sock. Draw a bright, funny face on the sock. Use magic markers.

Find some old hats, purses, and shoes for dress-up.

Art Materials

Try these things for fingerpaints-toothpaste, pudding, or peanut butter.

Playdough can be made from flour, water, and salt. Here are some recipes.

Play dough

Materials: 1 cup salt, 1 cup warm water, 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Mix together with your hands until it feels right.

Peanut-Butter Play Dough

Materials: 1/2 jar (large) peanut butter, 2/3 teaspoon honey, powdered milk

Mix together with your hands until it feels right.

Books

Make a book from pictures cut out of magazines.

Make a special book about your child. Use photos of your child and the family.

Think about this idea. Let your child have a bottom drawer or cupboard all his own. Fill it with a few old pans, bowls, wooden spoons, plastic containers, and jar lids.

For Further Reading

Castle, K. 1983. The Infant & Toddler Handbook: Invitations for Optimum Early Development. Atlanta: Humanics Ltd.

Gordon, I. J. 1977. Baby to Parent, Parent to Baby: A Guide to Loving and Learning in a Child's First Year. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Gordon, I. J. 1970. Baby Learning Through Baby Play: A Parent's Guide for the First Two Years. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Hooper, J. "Free or low-cost activities for family fun." University of Wisconsin Extension, B3099.

Sparling, J., and Lewis, 1. 1979. Learning Games for the First Three Years. New York: Walker & Co.

"Toys for young children." 1983. National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Reference List

American Toy Institute, Inc. 1973. "Choosing toys for children of all ages." American Toy Institute, Inc. 200 Fifth Avenue, New York 10010.

Ashley, B. "Babyhood when learning begins." 1976. Kentucky State University Extension, CD 105.

Castle, K. 1983. The Infant & Toddler Handbook: Invitations for Optimum Early Development. Atlanta: Humanics Ltd.

Chance, P. Learning Through Play. 1979. Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Co.

Garvey, C. 1977. Play: The Developing Child. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.

Gordon, I. J. 1977. Baby to Parent, Parent to Baby: A Guide to Loving and Learning in a Child's First Year. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Gordon, I. J. 1970. Baby Learning Through Baby Play: A Parent's Guide for the First Two Years. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Honig, A. S., and Lally, J. R. 1974. Infant Caregiving: A Design for Training. Open Family Press.

Hooper, J. "Free or low-cost activities for family fun." University of Wisconsin Extension, B3099.

Indiana State Board of Health. 1979. "Learning through play." Feedings and Your Child Series.

"Power of Play - Parts I, II, and III." 1982. University of California Extension, 8 (11, 12, 13). -

Sparling, J., and Lewis, L. 1979. Learning Games for the First Three Years. New York: Walker & Co.

"Toys for young children." 1983. National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Warner, D., and Quill, J. Beautiful Junk. U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Office of Human Development Service. OCD/HS publication number 76- 31036.